Abstract P4-05-03: Investigating Financial Toxicity among Breast Cancer Patients Diagnosed during the Pandemic: The Role of Cancer Care Disruptions and Social Isolation
Authors: Chiara Acquati, Tzuan Chen, Isabel Martinez Leal, Shahnjayla Connors, Anastasia Rogova, Mathew Banegas, Grace Smith, Lorraine R. Reitzel, Lorna McNeill
Journal: Cancer Research (2023)

Abstract Background: Financial toxicity (FT) is a multi-faceted construct, encompassing material hardship, psychological responses, and coping behaviors. FT adversely impacts patient-reported outcomes by decreasing mental health, affecting health-related quality of life (HRQOL), and deteriorating healthcare adherence. Few studies have assessed the relationship between financial toxicity, distress, coping, self-efficacy, and HRQOL within the context of cancer care disruptions resulting from the pandemic. Methods: In the COVID-19 Breast Cancer Care Survey, 46 women with primary breast cancer were cross-sectionally evaluated for financial hardship (FACIT-COST), distress (Perceived Stress Scale), coping behaviors (Brief COPE), self-efficacy (Cancer Behavior Inventory–Brief) and HRQOL using the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy General (FACT-G) measure. Cancer care disruptions were measured with a series of questions investigating the impact of COVID-19 guidelines on access to healthcare services, treatment, and transition to telemedicine. Given the role of informal caregivers for patients’ outcomes, social isolation was additionally included (PROMIS Social Isolation Scale). Descriptive statistics were computed, and bivariate correlations examined. Then, a subsequent regression model investigated predictors of FT in the present sample. Statistical analyses were performed using SAS 9.4 and significance level was set at p&amp;lt; 0.05. Results: Overall, participants were adult (Mage= 46.3±10.9) women diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer (75.61% Stage I/II). Approximately half of the participants were in active treatment (51.2%) and received multiple types of treatment (85.4% surgery; 61% chemotherapy, and 36.5% radiation). Although all participants were insured at time of the study, the mean score of FT was 22.75 (SD=4.10, range: 0-44). Correlation analyses indicated that cancer care disruptions (r= -0.57, p&amp;lt;.001), health-related quality of life (r=-0.51, p=0.0007), coping behaviors (r=-0.33, p=0.037), well-being (r=0.56, p=0.0001), social isolation (r=-0.40, p=0.0096), and psychological distress (r=-0.42, p=0.0064) were significantly correlated with FT. That is, women who reported greater disrupted cancer care delivery, greater difficulties managing the illness, reduced physical and mental health, and those experiencing more social isolation reported worse financial toxicity. Results of the final regression model showed that women who experienced greater COVID19-related cancer care disruptions (β=-2.82, p=0.0013) and isolation (β=-0.44, p=0.0196) from supportive networks were more likely to indicate elevated FT scores. Conclusions: A multidisciplinary and patient-centered FT management approach can be implemented to extend current financial navigation models to address psychosocial and behavioral factors exacerbated by altered care delivery protocols. Citation Format: Chiara Acquati, Tzuan Chen, Isabel Martinez Leal, Shahnjayla Connors, Anastasia Rogova, Mathew Banegas, Grace Smith, Lorraine R. Reitzel, Lorna McNeill. Investigating Financial Toxicity among Breast Cancer Patients Diagnosed during the Pandemic: The Role of Cancer Care Disruptions and Social Isolation [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2022 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2022 Dec 6-10; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2023;83(5 Suppl):Abstract nr P4-05-03.